Committee plans Armed Forces Day

Friday

Mar 14, 2014 at 10:30 AM

By Amanda Hinds Doyleahindsdoyle@siskiyoudaily.com

The Siskiyou County Armed Forces Day committee is planning early for its 6th annual event. The event will be held May 17 at the fairgrounds and is expected to be well-attended. The committee is anticipating approximately 600 attendees for this year alone.The traditional breakfast will lead the event from 8 -10:30 a.m. This is more than a continental breakfast, according to veteran's service officer Timothy Grenvik, they are pulling out all the stops. Entertainment will begin at 9 a.m., tentatively featuring the Yreka High School music department. More entertainers to be announced. There will also be a resource fair for veterans and families to attain information from a variety of sources, some include: American Legion Marine Corps. League Veteran Center, Redding VA Clinic, White City VA Clinic, Social Security and the Mobile Vet Center.Grenvik said he hopes to add local veteran artists to the mix. “We are looking for county veteran artists to show their works,” he said. The event will feature an appreciation ceremony and a flag presentation, which will include young marines from southern Oregon, according to Armed Forces Day committee member Bob Singleton.Singleton said not everyone has an event like this. “This was all put together to recognize all branches of the service,” said Singleton.Grenvik added, that spreading awareness is important. “It's another day that people don't know about, and we can share it,” he said.In addition, this year the committee has a special tribute to the families of service members. “We want to recognize these family members,” said Grenvik. “Often times they are forgotten when soldiers are out.”Maxine Lopey will be the speaker. According to Grenvik she fits the bill, having dealt with several deployments in the past. Raffle tickets will be available at $1 a piece with the grand prize being a mini-getaway at Mount Shasta Resort. For more information or to donate to the event call Bob Singleton at (530) 842-2008.